can anyone help?
 

I am a recent alumnae of Phi Mu, but I am still involved with my chapter. We are at a small college in PA, and we have been having big trouble getting numbers. We had 14 or 16 spots open this fall to fill, and we only managed to fill 3 of them so far. Our strength has usually lied in the fact that although we don't do wonderfully well in the formal rush, we make up for it during informal and with COBs. There are only 3 sororities on campus, and we are the only one having this much trouble. Does anyone have any ideas on what the sisters can do to attract more interest?

We have the same problem. Basically I think that the collegitates need to get out and be seen more on campus, frat parties and the like. Find out what the feeling on campus is towards the house, and greek life in general. Find out what the Independents want, and then be that for them. Also, try not to be WAY too different from the other houses, we have the probelm that we stick out like a red-headed stepchild nad that makes people not want to pledge us, because we are so different.

definately stay involved on campus!! the sisters that are in clubs, sports, etc. should be becoming friends with nongreek women and inviting them to the house. WEAR LETTERS ALL THE TIME!!! the best thing to remember is to have fun! no one wants to join a group if everyone is miserable! be seen on campus in groups...have a dinner night one night per week at a set time so that people can come if they can. invite friends along to the dinner. invite potential phis to phi events(bid day is a good one). invite them to chapter development meetings (make sure you aren't talking about chapter business, but if you did an ice cream social, or a facial party...i just heard that the body shop will come out and give facials). if they come to the events and have fun, they would be more likely to accept a bid. get your name on campus....did one of the sisters just get engaged? make a banner and hang it up on campus. congratulate the basketball team on a great win from the sisters of phi mu...what ever....make sure people know you are there!! do philanthropy activities often. set up something in your student union and collect money for cmn....they used to have these hot air balloons that you could sell for a dollar and hang them up in a stairway in the union (check with cmn to see if they still do it). have a bake sale, dorm storm....anything that will have sisters in letters actively engaged and having fun! take out ads in your student newspaper to celebrate your accomplishments. get alums involved...they can help with rush practices, provide moral support (everyone knows a quatrafoil cookie can brighten anyones day), present chapter developments, etc. rush is not only one week per year, so do your best to be active and show your campus that phi mu is AWESOME!!!! good luck. please let me know if i can help you!

W E A R L E T T E R S. Seriously, it works so well. People notice, the chapter looks HUGE (especially when you make sure everyone wears them on the same day -- "OK, everybody wear letters this Tuesday for the pep rally") and it gives everyone the chance to ask questions if they have them.

Additionally -- promote the snot out of COB parties. Everywhere. Classrooms, the dining hall, dorms, whatever. Everywhere.